snoop dogg

With Childish Gambino and Drake releasing their new albums today, I thought it would be fun to make a playlist composed of actor-rappers. Interestingly enough, both of these artists began their careers as fairly well-known actors: Gambino currently acts on NBC’s Community, writes for 30 Rock, and more, while Aubrey Drake Graham famously got his start as a child actor on Degrassi. The following playlist contains some rapper-turned-actors such as Mark Wahlberg and Will Smith as well as other actor-turned-rappers like Method Man. You can listen to the full MiaoMix below. Some popular movies or TV shows that the rappers acted in are in brackets. Also, if you enjoyed Method Man’s “World Gone Sour (Lost Kids)”, you should check out the music video after the break.

If you’ve been ‘watching the throne’ lately, you’ll know that hip-hop’s best have been putting out some grandiose tracks. Jay-Z and Kanye West‘s video for “Otis (feat. Otis Redding)” certainly cemented that in our heads, with the two veterans trashing a $350,000 Maybach and having some good-natured fun.

Malkovich flips this all in his new video for “Palms”, a track dedicated to the L.A. neighborhood of the same name and his home for eight years. The very same place where Snoop Dogg caught his murder case many years back. That Palms.

Featuring the local residents, the homeless, and even a US flag mural (in reference to “Otis”), “Palms” is a deep, reflective ode for the working class with an old-school vibe. You can check out the music video below.

Odd Future‘s Domo Genesis took to his Twitter page last night to release a brand new track entitled “Boss’ Life”. Domo raps for a minute and 45 seconds over Snoop Dogg‘s original “Boss’ Life”, produced by Dr. Dre. The original can be found on Snoop’s 2006 release The Blue Carpet Treatment and features the late Nate Dogg, who provided the hook. RIP.

According to Domo, he recorded his verse over the song last night and then two hours later, decided to drop the track for his followers. The result? A chill track from Odd Future’s most laid back rapper. Look out for his new mixtape, the follow up to 2010’s Rolling Papers, which should be released sometime this year.